HOUSTON, TEXAS (Editors at Energy Analytics Institute, 31.Jan.2025) — Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said her country continues to maintain dialogue with officials from the administration of US president Donald Trump but always with respect to Mexico’s sovereignty. Sheinbaum — speaking 31 Jan. 2025 during her mañanera or daily briefing with the media — said that given the possibility of the US implementing 25% tariffs that her government was prepared.
Implementation of 25% tariffs will impact the economy of millions of American families since Mexico is the main exporter of end products such as cars, computers, televisions and refrigerators.
“We have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, for whatever the US government decides. It is very important that the people of Mexico know that we will always defend the dignity of our people, that we will always defend respect for our sovereignty and a dialogue as equals, as we have always mentioned, without subordination,” Sheinbaum said.
“It is important to remember the implications that putting tariffs could have for the US economy, mainly; for the trade treaty of the 3 countries, for the 3 countries, for our peoples, but, in particular, for the economy of the US,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum said her government has been in permanent dialogue with the US government to address different issues related to migration and security based on 4 principles: shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration and respect for Mexican sovereignty.
“For example, on the issue of migration, with respect for our sovereignty and human rights, there are agreements for the repatriation of our compatriots; if this is the case, the arrival of some other person of another nationality. All the time there are agreements and there is a permanent dialogue table. On the subject of security, there is permanent communication within the framework of 4 principles, which are the fundamental principles in this matter: shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration and respect for our sovereignty. So, we will always maintain dialogue, it is fundamental in the relationship between Mexico and the US government,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum continued to point out that Mexico and the US must be seen as trading partners and not as competitors, since the 2 countries complement each other through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, also known as USMCA or T-MEC in Mexico.
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Ebrard on 25% US tariff
Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon pointed out that the imposition of 25% tariffs would mainly affect American consumers from the border states of California; Texas; Florida and Arizona. This, since Mexico is its main exporter of cars, computers, televisions and refrigerators to these states, among others.
American consumers would be affected the most Ebrard reiterated during his participation in the mañanera.
“First, because prices are going to be higher, that is, the price of all those products is going to rise 25%. Second, because there will be less availability of products, because to the extent that you put a 25% tax on a product, obviously, the purchase contracts. And, third and finally, there may be problems in supply chains because such high rates have an expansive impact,” Ebrard said.
In the case of cars, Ebrard said the application of tariffs will affect an estimated 12 million American families; in computers (40 million); and in televisions (32 million).
Ebrard said that 1 in every 3 sold in the US was made in Mexico, which means the tariffs would affect at least 5 million families, he said.
“It should be kept clear, the main impact: millions of families in the US will have to pay 25 percent more,” Ebrard added.
Ebrard said the impact of tariffs will also be seen in the purchase of fruits, vegetables, meat and beer in the US; in all US auto dealerships as well as in the cost of spare parts of the main companies in the automotive industry; in electronic products and appliances and medical equipment that is also carried out in Mexico.
Ebrard said the Mexican government had been preparing since late-2024 for this measure on behalf of the US government.
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By Editors at Energy Analytics Institute. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.